by Ali Parker
"I hate being down. It doesn't fit me very well, so fuck it. I'm just going to do what I want to do and the rest of the world can be damned." He moved back and ran his hands down his handsome face. "I'm going back to the room to sleep a little. I might get my own room tonight. I need sex."
I chuckled. "You think Adam would care if you brought someone home with you tonight?"
"Yes, and you weren't supposed to agree with me. You were supposed to do that big sister thing and try and save me from myself." The cheeky grin on his face was beyond cute.
"You're older, asshat, and there is no saving you from anything. That ship sailed a long time ago." I reached up and ran my hand down the back of his head. "What do you suppose that Jason and Natalie are doing this morning?"
"No clue, but you have a skiing date. Walk me to my room and tuck me in before you go?" He hopped off the stool he sat on and reached for my hand.
"You sleep naked. It's not happening." I moved closer and wrapped my cold fingers around his. "There is some woman, somewhere out in the world, that is going to want to do that though."
"Will I have to pay her?" He smirked as I chuckled and moved closer toward him.
"Nope. She's going to fall madly in love with you, but I think you're going to have to work for it."
"Work for sex?"
"No, you idiot." I popped him in the chest. "Work for her love, for her affection. The best relationship for you is going to come out of a lot of effort on your part."
He groaned loudly. "No way. I'm tired of being the one putting in all the effort. I just want to lie back and be loved."
"Not happening. Besides, you love a good challenge. Neither of your wives were one." I reached over and patted his chest as we stopped by the door to his room. "And you deserve a challenge."
"I don't know." He turned to face me. "A lot of times being challenged sucks ass."
"This is true, but it turns you on. That's why you love our business model. You're brought in to work on huge challenges."
"And I'm brilliant. I break them down and we make shit-tons of money."
I rolled my eyes. He was still a little drunk from the night before - obviously.
"Yep. Shit tons. Whatever measurement that is." I reached up and fixed the collar on his shirt. "Get some sleep and come see the kids with us tonight."
"No fucking way. I can't stand kids." He turned his back to me and opened the door before glancing back. "That's a lie. I like kids, I just feel like my time’s up, you know? That I'm going to be the only guy in the world who never has them."
I reached out and squeezed the back of his shoulder. "You're wrong, and the liquor burning through your system is telling you lies. Go lie down and I'll come find you later."
"You promise?" His expression tightened a little. It was the most serious I'd seen him since Mina left him nine months before.
"That I'll come get you?" I smiled.
"No, that I'll eventually have a family. You know, a wife and kids that love me."
I moved around him and pulled him into a hug. "Yes, and they're going to love you just like I do."
"But she'll tuck me into bed naked?" he mumbled against the side of my neck.
I laughed and swatted at him. "Get in there, you ass."
"You love this ass." He walked in and the door closed behind him.
He did have a point. I did love him. I just needed someone else to join me in that venture.
***
I spent most of the middle part of the day learning to snowboard with Adam, and surprisingly enough, I had a blast.
"You were a natural out there." Adam glanced over at me as he offered me his hand.
We walked back to the lodge together. "Yeah? I loved it, actually. It was fun. I thought I would suck at it, but it's so much better than skiing."
"I think so too." He held the door open for me. "We only have an hour before the program thing you guys wanted to go to. You want to get everyone to meet up for dinner before or..."
My stomach burned with hunger. "Yeah. I'll go find Jason and Natalie. You grab Parker and we'll have a burger at the pub near the back of the resort. That work?"
"Perfectly." He reached out and took my snowboard. "Let me go turn these in. I'll see you shortly. Thanks again for going with me. I had a blast."
"Me too." I turned and walked toward my room with a smile plastered on my face. Adam was a true gentleman, and I could see why him and Jason were close friends. They reminded me of each other. Parker on the other hand was like the black sheep of the group, and yet he wore the title with a badge of honor almost.
A chuckle left me as I walked into the room and spotted Jason lying on his side on the bed.
I had to get a running start, but I hoisted myself up on the bed and landed beside him as he jerked around, his expression sleepy.
"Hey, crazy woman." He rolled the rest of the way over and pulled me in tightly. "Wow. You're freaking cold."
"It's frosty out there." I smiled and snuggled against his warmth.
"I missed you." He kissed the side of my face and slid his hand down the back of my wind pants, grabbing my rear and squeezing. "Your butt's even cold. We should warm you up."
I laughed, feeling all of twenty. "No way. We get started with that, and there will be no stopping you. We're supposed to meet everyone for a burger before the children's program at six."
"Sounds good." He searched my face before leaning in and brushing his nose by mine. "I'm a little surprised you want to see this program thing."
"You shouldn't be. I want children and I feel like my time is running out." I blinked back all the hard emotion that usually came along with me bringing up having a family. My best friend, Trisha, had four kids and another on the way. I was insanely jealous, though I'd never told a soul about it.
"Your time isn't running out, baby. If kids are one of your goals, then you're right on track." He touched the side of my face. "How about this, we go to dinner and the performance and then come back here and start working on conquering those goals together."
"By trying to make a baby?" I snorted as he gave me a sweet look. "Don't even give me that innocence. You're a wolf in sheep's clothing."
"Actually, I don't have on any clothing." He moved out of the covers and pressed me to the bed as we both laughed together.
"All right, I'm in. We'll work on our goals tonight."
"Excellent." He kissed me softly and stared deep into my eyes. "My number one goal is to make you happy."
"Then you're a very accomplished man already." I pulled him down and we held each other until a knock at the door pulled us apart. Time for dinner.
Chapter 18
Jason
Dinner was fun, but nothing compared to sitting in the dark conference room, snuggled up beside Rebecca during the children's performance. Never in a million years would I have thought she was the kind of woman to attend an event like that. Not that she wasn't loving or warm, but she was so career oriented. It was the only thing that kept me at bay for the year I spent mulling over whether she was the right woman for me.
My mother instilled deep values for family and faith in me growing up. Her being gone sent a pain through my chest, but I forced it down and glanced over at my girl as she laughed at something the kids said.
Parker's face was lit up right beside hers, and I let myself revel in the moment. I belonged next to them. Next to her.
"I love it," she whispered as she glanced my way, her eyes rimmed with tears as she laughed. "The little donkey just snorted like a pig."
I smiled and glanced back toward the stage as the crowd around us laughed and cheered.
The little guy's cheeks were pink, and his smile wide. I wanted a little boy. A little girl. Both. Several of each.
Wrapping my arm tightly around Rebecca's shoulders, I let myself dive into a future in my head that had all of the above. It would be hard to juggle everything, but we would manage. My parents had, and so had hers.
She snuggled
up against me and wiped at her tears as I leaned over and kissed the top of her head.
"I love you," I whispered against her hair.
"Me too." She lifted her chin and kissed me before turning back toward the stage and cracking up as one of the little girls messed up her lines. She was the little angel that was supposed to bring good news.
Her pouty lips were precious as she pressed her fists to her hips and huffed. "I come to bring you good news. Today... wait..." She looked around toward the crowd and leaned forward, whispering to who I assumed was her mother. "Was it today? Not today, right?"
The crowd went wild and I chuckled under my breath. Innocence had a beauty about it that could steal your breath if you weren't careful.
I leaned back and watched the rest of the play with heavy emotion pumping through my chest. I'd be asking Rebecca to marry me the next afternoon, and then the future would really begin. Her beside me, our families around us and all of our good friends gathered for our event.
The wedding would be everything she wanted it to be. I would make sure of it.
***
I woke the next morning beyond excited. A touch of nervousness danced in my stomach as well, but I ignored it. Christmas Eve. It had to be one of my most favorite times of the year.
"You awake?" I snuggled up behind Rebecca and smiled as she swatted at me and told me to go away.
Good. I had my excuse for getting out of the room. I texted our friends and my sister and told them to meet me in the banquet room of the steakhouse on the east side of the property. It was just before ten, which was far later than I'd hoped, but we would make due.
Adam walked up behind me as I stood at the entrance to the restaurant and waited on everyone.
He rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Hey, man. You sleep well?"
"Like a baby." I crossed my arms over my chest as Parker and my sister walked down the hall toward us, laughing about something.
Adam glanced behind him and turned back to me. "Nothing to worry about. Natalie and him are just friends."
"You sure?" I put my attention back on my best friend, lifting my eyebrow a little in question.
"More than sure. They talked about it last night. Parker told me. Leave them be. They're adults and they'll make the right decision." He reached out and squeezed my shoulder. "Now, tell me how fucked up your insides are. You freaking out yet?"
"No. Feels like Christmas is coming early this year." I smiled and welcomed my sister in my arms as she moved close for a hug.
"Speaking of Christmas... what did you get me?" She glanced up at me and gave me a cheeky grin.
"I brought you on a ski trip. That's not enough?"
"No, and you better not forget to get me a snow globe. You know I've been collecting those my whole life." She pulled back and gave me a serious look.
"I know. I'd never forget." I turned as someone approached in a black tux.
"Morning, sir. Sorry to keep you waiting. The back room is all yours." He moved back and bowed slightly.
"What are we doing?" Parker moved up beside me as we walked to the back.
"Decorating a little for tonight. I’m proposing to Becca.”
“Wow.” Parker glanced around. “Did I miss something? I didn’t know this was set in stone.”
I smiled and ignored his question. He had to know it was coming. Hell, she had to know it was coming. “Anyway, I ordered a few things last night after Rebecca passed out. I just need you guys to help me string up the lights and put the candles out. We'll get the playlist put together and the flower petals on the floor and we'll be good to go."
Adam moved in front of us and turned to face me. "You want me to make sure the ring is sitting out here and the candles are lit tonight?"
"Sure do." I pulled the small black box from my pocket and handed it to him. "Don't lose that, man. It's more than both of our future houses put together."
He chuckled and took the box. "You can trust me. I'd never let you down."
"This is really happening, right?" Parker turned around in a slow circle as Christmas music started to play from the speakers in the ceiling.
Natalie laughed and reached out to stop him. "Why are you so surprised?"
"I don't know." His attention moved toward me. "I just never thought she would settle down. Kade McMillian did a number on her, and I kept trying to figure out how to undo it all of these years, but it wasn't mine to undo."
I stiffened as warmth blasted through the center of my chest. "It was mine."
"Agreed." He extended his hand to me. "I love that woman like she was my own sister. She's the only family I claim, and you're officially stuck with me if you have her. We're a two-fer."
I laughed and pulled the big idiot into a quick hug. "If it means getting Rebecca, I guess I'll take you too."
"All right. Enough of this man-baby stuff. Let's get busy. It's going to be time before we know it." Natalie picked up a roll of crimson silk and pointed to Adam. "Go close the door, and Parker, you help me get this on the table. Jason, you get the candles out and check the wicks."
We all stood there for a minute before busting up like a rack of pool balls that had just been hit. Parker was right.
It was really happening.
I couldn't wait.
Chapter 19
Rebecca
"Where are you?" I growled into the phone as it rang over and over. Jason wasn't picking up.
I tossed it on the bed and walked to the bathroom, pulling my hair into a high ponytail and deciding to walk the whole damn hotel if I had to in order to find him. I wanted to go on the sleigh ride later that night and see the lights, but we would have to get our tickets quick. They were running out of spots, or so the lady at the front desk had barked over the phone moments before.
"Forget it. I'll just get the tickets and if we don't get to go, we don't get to go." I pulled a jacket over my long-sleeve shirt and pulled on gloves before walking out into the hallway. The sounds and smells of Christmas flooded my system, and I missed my mom all of a sudden.
I went back into the hotel room and grabbed my phone and wallet before leaving again. After dialing her number, I put the phone to my ear and walked languidly to the lobby. The beautiful greens and reds that filled the resort were breathtaking, but something seemed even more brilliant that day than the others. Had they just recently added the small white lights that twinkled from every nook and cranny?
"Becca?" My mom's voice was a welcomed sound.
I paused and closed my eyes, reliving so many Christmases from years past. "Hi, Mom. You and Dad doing okay?"
"Oh yeah. Just miss you. When are you coming home, baby?"
"On Saturday." I opened my eyes and reached up to blot them. I hadn't cried more than once since my father's death and I'd gotten emotional ten times over the last week. It was Jason. He was softening me. Damn him. I smiled at the thought.
"Well, we're going to miss you tomorrow on Christmas day. I wish you guys would have planned the trip a little bit differently." I could hear the longing in her voice to have me there.
"I'm sorry, Mom. We'll drive up that way on Sunday and visit with you and Dad."
"You could if we were home." Her laugh was cute, telling. "We came over to London, remember?"
"Oh my God. I totally forgot." I put my hand on my hip and scanned the lobby, looking for a familiar face. "Why were you crying about us not being home then? You wouldn't be there either."
"Because I wish we were all at home. No more traveling during the holidays. It's too special to be apart."
"Agreed." I spun in a slow circle, hoping to find someone. "Are you and Daddy having fun?"
"We are. He's eating a croissant that was special made for him, or so the cute little French girl at the hotel restaurant said so."
I snort-laughed. I could just see my country-bumpkin father in his overalls living up the attention of a twenty-something French girl. My mom would give him hell over it for a long time to come. It was part of the fun.
"I love it." I let out a soft sigh and walked toward the nearest window. "It's beautiful here. The snow is thick and it's everywhere."
"Good. You and Jason doing okay? And how is Parker? Behaving himself?" She sounded suspicious.
I chuckled. "Parker is being Parker, but yes, me and Jason are doing great. I realized something over the last few days."
"What's that?" She sounded a little too hopeful.
"I'm ready to settle down and get married. I want kids." I turned at the sound of Parker laughing. Him, Jason, Natalie and Adam walked toward me, all of them looking very suspicious. Where I would usually dig into what they were up to, I decided to let it go. Time would unveil all things.
"Wow! Colorado did that to you, or the handsome thing you're finally letting love you?"
"Both?" I smiled and reached for Jason as he moved toward me. "I'm going to let you go, Mom. I love you. Merry Christmas Eve."
"You too, baby. Give everyone a hug for me."
"Will do." I ended the call and slipped the phone in my back pocket as Jason wrapped his strong arms around my waist and leaned down for a quick kiss.
"Sleepy head. We were thinking we were going to have to drop a bucket of water on you soon if you didn't get moving. It's after lunch."
I studied his face, finding myself more in love than I thought possible. "You'd have been in a world of trouble."
"He's going to be there sooner or later." Parker leaned toward us. "He's a dude. Shit happens."
We all laughed and Adam suggested that we grab a bite to eat and then head to the ticket counter to see if there were spots remaining for the light tour that night.
I snuggled against Jason, feeling whole. It was the first time in a long time.
***
"Wait. We have to head up to the front for the carriage ride." I checked my watch as Jason gripped my hand tightly and moved us the opposite way of the front desk.
